GPU Cache
Intel Shader Cache
Windows graphics drivers for Intel GPUs keep a disk-backed shader cache under %LocalAppData%/Intel/ShaderCache so Direct3D and OpenGL shaders do not need to be compiled from scratch every time a game or app starts. That cache typically stores compiled shader binaries, pipeline state variants, and driver-generated optimization data tied to the current driver and GPU state. Kudu removes these temporary shader cache files so stale or oversized entries can be rebuilt automatically, without touching your games, save data, app settings, accounts, or passwords.
Why clean Intel Shader Cache?
- Compiled shader blobs created by an older Intel graphics driver can become invalid after a driver update, leading to stutter, hitching, or a very slow first launch while shaders are recompiled
- Corrupted cache entries can cause black textures, missing effects, flickering shadows, or broken lighting in games that rely on cached driver shader binaries
- An oversized ShaderCache folder wastes SSD space with obsolete pipeline variants from games and apps you no longer use, while deleting it only removes rebuildable temporary data
- Bad cached optimization data can trigger repeated micro-stutter when returning to the same scene, menu, or level because the driver keeps reusing a problematic compiled variant
- Direct3D or OpenGL applications may crash on launch or freeze during the splash screen if the Intel driver hits an unreadable or inconsistent shader cache file
- After major game patches, old cached shader variants may no longer match the application’s current shaders, causing longer loads, hitching during effect-heavy scenes, or visual glitches until the cache is refreshed
What gets cleaned
Cache paths Kudu targets
Windows
%LocalAppData%/Intel/ShaderCache |
Frequently asked
Common questions about Intel Shader Cache
Free & open source
Download Kudu and reclaim your disk space.
Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. No account required, no feature gates, no telemetry without consent. All cleaning targets are open source and community-auditable.